Win A Major, Then You Can Smart Off

Masters - The Buzz

April 10, 2002|By Steve Elling, Sentinel Staff Writer

Two weeks ago at The Players Championship, Phil Mickelson defended his ultra-aggressive style by way of using Jack Nicklaus as a counterpoint. Mickelson said he loved watching Nicklaus play but didn't at all enjoy playing in the Golden Bear's generally conservative and tactical style.

Informed of this Tuesday, Nicklaus smiled like a sage.

"I like my record, thank you," said Nicklaus, who won a record six Masters titles and 18 majors in all. "You win more tournaments by being a survivor than by seizing a tournament. It's easier to win by playing high-percentage shots and by being a survivor."

THE CONTENDER

Among the non-winners at the Masters, David Duval's record is second to none. Duval said the emotions of playing on Sunday in contention are so strong, it can take a player out of his game even before a shot is struck.

"You have to really temper your excitement, your nerves," he said. "The rush is hard to explain, really, and the adrenaline is so strong. And it feels like the only place I'd ever want to be.

"You feel ecstatic and you feel sick at the same time. A lot of amazing things go through your head and through your body that day."

EYE, EYE, EYE

Orlando's Scott Hoch knew he blew a chance to win at TPC two weeks ago. Now he knows why.

The ageless 46-year-old was tied for the lead on the back nine Sunday but putted like a blind man.

Which isn't far from the truth. Hoch, who had Lasix surgery performed about 18 months ago, went back to the eye doctor and learned that his eyesight had deteriorated to 20-50 vision. So Hoch had another round of surgery a mere eight days ago.

"I had to do something," he said.

MR. HONESTY

Orlando's Charles Howell is an Augusta native and has been the overwhelming cover boy for the Georgia media this week as he plays in his first Masters. Many have made prominent mention of the fact that, as a teen, he was not the life of the party.

Actually, the word Howell, 22, uses to describe himself as a high-schooler is "nerd." He cracked several one-liners at his own expense Tuesday and admitted that most of the stories are true. All he thought about was golf.

"I could be the poster boy for high school nerds," he said. "I had 14 friends in high school -- and they all fit in my bag. I had a girlfriend and her name was Big Bertha."

MR. HONESTY II

Considering the course makeover since last year, ever-uninhibited John Daly was asked which holes seemed toughest.

"Every one of them when you're hitting it like [crap], I can tell you that," he said.

OPPOSING VIEW

And now, something completely different.

Swing guru Rick Smith, whose clients include Mickelson, Rocco Mediate and Matt Kuchar, said the course changes at Augusta National might favor the long hitters, but they also can be more punitive for the bombers, too. For instance, with the tees moved back on several holes, the bunkers affect the biggest of bashers.

"All the bunkers are mostly in the long players' range," Smith said. "I think the course is actually more balanced than I could have ever imagined."

BEEFEATER

Tiger Woods, who has been known to hit the drive-thru window at McDonald's on occasion, recently went 48 days without eating red meat.

It all started during the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am as an attempt to help amateur playing partner and former Stanford teammate Jerry Chang lose weight. Somehow, Woods endured, losing a few pounds in the process.

"I didn't want to lose weight," Woods said. "It was an attempt to help Jerry lose some pounds. So I volunteered myself. The bet is over, but I felt pretty good during the bet. There were a lot of times of temptation, there's no doubt about it. Especially after a bad round."

BACKING THE OLDIES

Count Nicklaus among those who believe that past champions Gay Brewer, Billy Casper and Doug Ford should have been allowed to compete in the Masters for life. All three were essentially asked not to play this year, a reversal of policy from the lifetime exemptions.

"Put it this way," said Nicklaus, an Augusta National member who is sitting out this one with a back injury. "I think when you have earned an invitation to play in the Masters or any golf tournament, I think it's the player's decision whether to play or not."